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Stellenbosch Theological Journal

On-line version ISSN 2413-9467Print version ISSN 2413-9459

Abstract

STRAUSS, Piet.The Dutch Reformed Church in the Cape and the Great Trek: an evaluation. STJ [online]. 2015, vol.1, n.1, pp.273-289.
ISSN 2413-9467. http://dx.doi.org/10.17570/STJ.2015.V1N1.A14.

The reaction of the Cape Synod of 1837 of the Dutch Reformed Church and the presbytery of Graaff-Reinet of 1838 and 1840 marked the official stance of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) on the Trek. Both were negative about the Trek because they saw it as a revolt against the British Government. These two assemblies were, however, influenced by the negative approach of the Trek in public opinion and willingness on their side to follow and bow to the government in this regard. The Trek after all, was an emigration. Since 1843 the approach of the DRC on the matter changed and the members of the DRC on the Trek were regarded as full church members who are not in a process of discipline because of their emigration.

Keywords
:
Emigration; Insecurity in society; Peaceful motives; Watershed in South African history; Interior of South Africa open for the influence of the West.